Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73not60
§70305 Suspension of Passenger Services
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle VII— Security and Drug Enforcement › Chapter 703— MARITIME SECURITY › § 70305
Summary
The President can ban passenger ship companies and U.S. passenger ships from using ports in a foreign country if that country lets terrorists base, train, shelter, or help groups that use or threaten to seize passenger ships. The ban can start right away, without notice or a hearing, and last as long as needed to protect ships. The Secretary can bar violators’ ships from U.S. ports and fine them up to $50,000 per day.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §70305
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Whenever the President determines that a foreign nation permits the use of territory under its jurisdiction as a base of operations or training for, or as a sanctuary for, or in any way arms, aids, or abets, a terrorist or terrorist group that knowingly uses the illegal seizure of passenger vessels or the threat thereof as an instrument of policy, the President may suspend the right of any passenger vessel common carrier to operate to or from, and the right of any passenger vessel of the United States to use, a port in that foreign nation for passenger service. The suspension may be without notice or hearing and for as long as the President determines is necessary to ensure the security of passenger vessels against unlawful seizure.
(b)A passenger vessel common carrier, or a passenger vessel of the United States, may not operate in violation of a suspension under this section.
(c)(1)If a person operates a vessel in violation of this section, the Secretary may deny the vessels of that person entry to ports of the United States.
(2)A person violating this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $50,000. Each day a vessel uses a prohibited port is a separate violation.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 7030546 App.:1805.Pub. L. 99–399, title IX, § 909, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 892.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 70305
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60